Impact assessment and monitoring

The preparation of the maritime spatial plan is subject to the Act on the Assessment of the Effects of Certain Plans and Programmes on the Environment. The authorities responsible for the maritime spatial plan must ensure that the environmental impacts of the plan are studied and assessed to a sufficient extent during its preparation if the implementation of the plan may have significant environmental impacts.

The impact assessment takes into account the ecological, economic, social and cultural aspects. The review takes into account the direction of the impact – positive or negative change – and its significance. The maritime spatial plan is a strategic document, meaning that it can only have indirect impacts. Impact path analyses of the sector have been carried out by comparing the key content of the maritime spatial plan with any executive processes and the impacts of implementation in terms of the vision, roadmap and planning solutions. (Figure)

The combined impacts of maritime industries and marine area in relation to ecosystems have been assessed from the perspective of planetary boundaries and the carrying capacity of the Baltic Sea. The overall impacts have also been assessed from the perspective of economic and socio-cultural impacts, including land–sea interaction.

The impact assessment covers the significant direct and indirect impacts of maritime spatial plans for the sectors considered in maritime spatial planning. The impact assessment is based on an examination of the change caused by the maritime spatial plan compared with a situation that would prevail if the plan did not exist. The review has been carried out by planning area.  

An assessment in accordance with section 65, subsection 1 of the Nature Conservation Act is not conducted in connection with the preparation and approval of a maritime spatial plan. The maritime spatial plan covers the Finnish territorial waters and the exclusive economic zone of Finland, which also include many Natura 2000 areas. The maritime spatial plan identifies potential for existing and new operations that may have an impact on the nature values based on which areas have been included in the Natura 2000 network. Assessments in accordance with the Nature Conservation Act must not be prepared until in connection with projects and plans, such as planning and permit procedures, that compromise the nature values on which the protection of Natura 2000 areas is based.

Learn more about the assessment of the impacts of maritime spatial plans. You can download the final report on maritime spatial plan impact assessment.